I will admit it: I watch American Idol. I enjoy it, but I’m not into it as much as some people. Take my sister for instance: she is what we call a "voter." I have never had it in me to cast a vote; I guess I just don’t care that much.
Despite my abstaining ways, I have to admit that American Idol, or A.I. as the real cool kids say (for the purpose of this article, I am one of the cool kids), is a good show and a great concept. Not only has it launched the careers of several talented people who may have never been discovered, but it unites America in a celebration of song. With the music programs in so many schools subject to budget cuts, it’s nice to see America supporting the Arts: this will not be the day the music dies.
As good as AI has been in the past, I can’t help but wonder if it has lost some of its spark. Don’t get me wrong, the potential idols are, as usual, swimming with talent: as someone whose own musical peak ended after a third grade recorder performance, I have the utmost respect for people who can perform. Yet, it just doesn’t seem as passionate anymore, leaving me to point blame in a few directions.
The Tryouts: Now, I like to point and laugh at the people who think they can sing as much as the next person, but the tryouts have increasingly become bad…really bad. I can appreciate the people who try out singing opera or those weak in talent but rich in friends telling them that they are the next Celine Dion. At least these people are relevant. Those who try out knowing that they are well over the age range, or those who try out not to sing but to dance, juggle, or wow the judges through miming (I am in a box), are really just pointless. There's plenty of entertainment to be had in the people who simply are convinced they can sing: only singers in the required age range should be allowed to audition.
The Judges: I like Simon. His opinion, to me, seems to be the most important; he is the hardest to impress. Still, his temperament borders on just plain mean at times. Crude, rude, and full of ‘tude, it wouldn’t kill Simon to be a little more positive; hopefully this British man is still not holding 1776 against America.
Randy is somewhere in between the other two judges. In my opinion, he is the best judge. Sure he says "dawg" an awful lot, but he gives constructive criticism and lets people down easily. Paula, on the far end of the spectrum, doesn’t seem to judge much of anything. Is it just me, or does Paula Abdul not know how to tell anyone anything negative? Even if their singing is awful, awful, awful, she still mentions that she likes their hair, their makeup, or every third sequin on their sparkling shirt. She’s nice, you have to give her that, but she could use a little more rigidity. Straight up now tell them, Paula. They don’t have to love you forever.
The Voting: As someone who admits that they don’t vote, I really shouldn’t be criticizing the voting system. It’s like someone who didn’t vote in the elections complaining about the government. I know I shouldn’t complain, but heck, I still will. The voting on AI has become increasingly less about talent. The past few seasons we’ve seen some people who should have won voted off before they had a chance and we’ve seen some people who should've been sent packing, have the finals in the bag.
This was bound to happen: any contest that is based on voting ultimately becomes less about talent and more about popularity. If a person who is not finalist materials has a ton of friends, a ton of family, and knows everyone at the large university they attended, they have more of a chance at winning than someone who is way more talented but knows far less people.
The way to resolve this, at least in part, is to give America some of the vote, but the judges continuous say as well. It will kind of be like a popular vote meets electoral college American Idol. That, after all, worked wonderfully in the 2000 Presidential election.
Jennifer Jordan is a senior editor for http://iturbocharge.com. Possessing an infatuation with pop culture – and a little bit of stalking – she keeps up on the latest news of the musical world
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